West Indies women's cricket captain Merissa Aguilleira was sacked by the selectors on the eve of the team's departure for its current four-match series against Sri Lanka.
The selection panel of Clive Lloyd, Courtney Walsh, Eldine Baptiste and Courtney Browne replaced the T&T wicket-keeper with Jamaican Stafanie Taylor, and although the news was relayed to Aguilleira by president of the WICB, Dave Cameron, the decision was not ratified by the WICB after objections were raised by the T&T Cricket Board, led by its president Azim Bassarath.
According to an official of the WICB in Jamaica, Bassarath raised strong objections to the move, forcing the selectors to reinstate the T&T player.
The official noted that Aguilleira's leadership came under scrutiny following a series of in-and-out performances by the team, and her own failure as a player forced the selectors to look to Taylor. "The selectors thought that the performance of the team over the recent past was not what they expected and wanted a change at the helm. Aguilleira's string of poor performances with the bat did not help her case."
It is understood that president of the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB), Dave Cameron called Aguilliera with the news three days before the team for Sri Lanka was announced. "She was informed that her services as captain of the team were no longer required and she would be replaced by all rounder Taylor from Jamaica."
Guardian understands that an upset Aguilliera spoke to the TTCB and her interest was represented by Bassarath who is also a director on the WICB.Dialogue took place between the Bassarath and Cameron and in the end, the recommendation by the selectors was not ratified and Aguilliera was allowed to take the team to Sri Lanka.
When contacted on the matter yesterday, Bassarath said he had no comments to make and took the opportunity to congratulate the West Indies team on their opening win against Sri Lanka.
Prior to the team leaving for Sri Lanka, longstanding coach Sherwin Campbell was replaced by Vasbert Drakes after he sent a WhatsApp message to a player on the team about another senior player. The message was passed on to the WICB, who found the message in poor taste and replaced Campbell.
West Indies women's cricket team used a patient bowling and fielding approach then a solid middle-order batting performance to chalk up a deserving victory in the first match of their seven carded on their current tour of Sri Lanka. All matches are limited-overs games with the first four 50-overs-per side affair and the last three T-20 match-ups.
Sri Lanka are currently languishing in the 7th place with only three points in six games while the West Indies are currently at 5th position with six points from same number of matches.The second match of the series will be played today.